Business Analysis: Why Data Certifications Are Important

More than ever, businesses view complex analytics as a requirement. And the growth in available data has been tremendous; the demand grew much faster than the supply of qualified people who can handle it. If you want to join the many who are ready to transition to a more rewarding career in big data, it’s time to figure out whether or not certifications are a must.

Company Size Matters

While big data certifications aren’t always an absolute requisite, certifications are what big companies will be looking at. We all know how competitive people get when seeking spots at corporations, and there’s little chance that a busy, impersonal hiring staff is going to be willing to take your word for it without some certification to back it up.

This is particularly true if you’re up against certified applicant, which you will be. Even if you do augment your experience with a certificate or two, there may be someone else with more, so be ready to offer solutions.

However, if you’re applying to a smaller team, it may be easier to convince them of your skills without certificates. Your specific responsibilities with the team will also be a factor in how much certification, if any, is preferable.

What Is Your Background?

If you want to break into the field anew, your best bet is rack up some big data certification. In other words, if your resume doesn’t already involve working with data, the only way to guarantee a good measure of success is to get certified.

Moreover, if you’re looking to make a measurable career shift even within the same company, adding some certifications can only help your chances at securing positive outcomes during your transition.

However, if you’re already an engineer or have previously worked with data, and have post-grad education, certification may not be as important.

What is most important is that you can demonstrate the ability to provide specific solutions. This may have been something you picked up in school, which some certifications are essentially designed to be a stand-in for. Therefore, in some cases, getting certain certifications could be redundant.

Which Certificates?

Certification isn’t a one-and-done deal. You’ll need to consistently update and reeducate to stay on top of the latest advances. That said, there are a wide range of certifications to consider depending on where you’d ideally like to go.

Currently, some of the most valuable certifications include:

• Hadoop cluster installation and administration
• Basic processes involved with big data
• A CAP – Certified Analytical Professional cert
• Analytics certificates, including marketing analytics

Note that some certificates are quite costly, require prior education, or both.

And most of all, don’t get roped into skating through any courses. There is a wealth of course information and answers out there provided by people who have already acquired many certifications.

You may be tempted, but the most essential factor in your success working in big data is that you are actually equipped to handle the work. With a job arena experiencing this much growth, and the wealth of data now at businesses’ fingertips, your capabilities and performance are key.